Horse Community Members Speak Out on American Riots, Black Lives Matter and White Privilege In the Horse World​​​​​​​

Wed, 06/03/2020 - 19:24
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The horse community is particularly well known for staying mum an avoiding political issues or anything happened in the real world outside their horse bubble. The American uprising, protests, and riots against racism, inequality and white supremacy, following the unnecessary death of George Floyd, have shocked the world, yet come as no surprise in America's current day political climate.

Three members of the horse community have spoken out on the topic. 

Carl Hester

British Olympia Carl Hester took to Facebook and posted: 

Black squares flooded social media yesterday, as everyone took a moment to say that there is no place for racism in our society. More than ever, this is a time to learn, to educate and to be a voice and an ally with those we stand with, side by side. Quite simply, there is only one race in this world, the human race and the more we speak out and dismantle the actions and narrative that causes such racial divides, the greater all of our lives will be.

We have to be the change in our actions and our words. We have to listen, to read to learn. I’m not normally one for the ‘speech’ but today I wanted to use the platform you have given me, to say some words. Let’s be better. This matters yesterday, today and every day.

Robert Dover

Robert Dover
Former U.S. team trainer and Olympian Robert Dover is well known for his political opinion and one of few horse personalities who is very outspoken on politics in the U.S.A.. He regularly posts critical statements on his Facebook page. On the current situation he wrote:

To anyone doubting that racial profiling is a problem in America, just watch this video. A few minutes ago, the police closed down Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach and the channel 5 feed is on Facebook live. The stoppage is not nearly as concerning as the vile and hateful comments of so many people on the thread below the video. So little empathy exists anymore, if it really ever did. #BLACKLIVESMATTER

One day earlier, Dover also posted:

How heartbreaking that we are now in the state that we are in as America is under a would-be dictator with zero empathy or understanding of his job. He had teargas shot into a group of peaceful protesters, all so he could walk across the park to hold a bible for a photo op in front of a church. He did not reach out to our people and say, “I hear you. I see you. I am listening and want to help solve the problems of racism, police and justice reform, and economic assistance for those in need.” Instead, he and a large group of men, all without facial masks, marched back and forth as a show of force and domination over people legally and peacefully demonstrating, saying he is sending “thousands and thousands of military personal” to squash those who act with violence but also those who simply protest for change. This, while Covid 19 is still killing over 1000 Americans every day with over 107,000 already dead and 47 million people out of work.  I wish for peaceful protest (only) until there is justice for the Floyd family and leadership committed to positive change for all Americans!

Sophie Gochman: Breaking The Silence Surrounding White Privilege In The Horse World

The most interesting contribution on the topic was made by U.S. show jumper Sophie Gochman.

Gochman is a 17-year old is finishing her junior year at The Spence School in New York City, and her family splits their time between farms in Flemington, New Jersey, and Wellington, Florida. Gochman won individual gold and team bronze at the 2019 North American Youth Championships (New York), and she went on to win team gold at the FEI Nations Jumping Nations Cup Youth Final in Belgium in September. This spring she earned hunter and equitation tricolors at the Winter Equestrian Festival (Florida) and anchored the gold-medal winning youth team in the Enviro Equine Young Riders team competition at the Palm Beach Masters CSI (Florida).

Gochman wrote a stunning, honest column in The Chronicle of the Horse on 1 June 2020 which is a must-read!

Sophie Gochman at the 2019 CSI Knokke
She begins her argument by stating, "For too long, the horse show world has chosen to ignore the extreme social injustice embedded in American policy and tradition. We are an insular community with a gross amount of wealth and white privilege, and thus we choose the path of ignorance. However, what the horse world fails to recognize is the prevalence of social injustice in our community. Trainers will support [President Donald Trump] and his racist comments and policies towards immigrants but hire undocumented workers from Latin America as grooms."

She continued, "I’m tired of being one of the few who ever brings up civil rights. I’m tired of always losing my respect for the people I should look up to, such as our Olympians and prominent trainers when they refuse to talk about or silently support social inequity. I’m tired of being ridiculed by people I consider friends [when I] start conversations about police brutality, sexual assault, feminism, the environment, immigration and white privilege."

Gochman added that "the personal acceptance of my privilege was a struggle for me. I have immense guilt that every action I take or possession I own unconsciously causes the oppression of marginalized communities. (...) I will be the first to admit my life is full of unfair advantages and that my happiness and luxuries come at a dear cost."

Gochman leaves no doubt about her conclusions: "It’s so shameful that a community made of such wealthy and affluent people cannot riot together to fight police brutality. It’s an absolute outrage. So sign the petitions, take to the streets if you can, make the calls, donate money and speak up. I’m disgusted by your willful ignorance, and I refuse to accept anything but action. This country needs a revolution. This country needs authentic democracy. This country needs justice, and I’m demanding your help."

Read the full column at The Chronicle of the Horse

Photos © Astrid Appels - Dirk Caremans